Irresponsible dog owners

[berlyn]

What is the name of your state? Texas

We own a weekend place out in the country along the river, although most resident live there year round.
Our neighbors have 4 pit bulls that roam loose and love to cr*p in everyones yard and "chase" people and pets. I have been deathly afraid of one of the females who knows how to jump the chain link fence get out and do her "deeds" and jump back in. The males also know how to jump the fence too. We have tried to tell these people what their dogs do to no avail. Last week 2 got out went to a neighbors yard attack and killed their c*cker spaniel and drug it back in front of their house. We (different neighbors) have called the sherriff's dept each time. We have been informed there is nothing they can do till they attack a human. (Texas justive does come too mind here!!) There is no ordinances concerning vicious dogs, etc.... The sherriff dept has been quite cooperative and have upped their patrol of the road, ect... We are filing reports with each incident for a paper trail if needed later on.
My question is there any state law that could help the neighborhood with vicious dogs??
Or do we have to wait for one to attack a child or adult???

We were given the advice of having an attorney send a letter along with all the sherriff's reports and putting them on notice to sue them if any of our "property" or people are injured, damaged or attacked. Also, notifying their home owners ins too. But how would one find who their ins carrier is??

any suggestions??

Thanks,
berlynWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

 

[seniorjudge]

What is the name of your state? Texas

We own a weekend place out in the country along the river, although most resident live there year round.
Our neighbors have 4 pit bulls that roam loose and love to cr*p in everyones yard and "chase" people and pets. I have been deathly afraid of one of the females who knows how to jump the chain link fence get out and do her "deeds" and jump back in. The males also know how to jump the fence too. We have tried to tell these people what their dogs do to no avail. Last week 2 got out went to a neighbors yard attack and killed their c*cker spaniel and drug it back in front of their house. We (different neighbors) have called the sherriff's dept each time. We have been informed there is nothing they can do till they attack a human. (Texas justive does come too mind here!!) There is no ordinances concerning vicious dogs, etc.... The sherriff dept has been quite cooperative and have upped their patrol of the road, ect... We are filing reports with each incident for a paper trail if needed later on.
My question is there any state law that could help the neighborhood with vicious dogs??
Or do we have to wait for one to attack a child or adult???

We were given the advice of having an attorney send a letter along with all the sherriff's reports and putting them on notice to sue them if any of our "property" or people are injured, damaged or attacked. Also, notifying their home owners ins too. But how would one find who their ins carrier is??

any suggestions??

Thanks,
berlynWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

Q: But how would one find who their ins carrier is??

A: Sue them.

 

[HappyHusband]

What is the name of your state? Texas

We own a weekend place out in the country along the river, although most resident live there year round.
Our neighbors have 4 pit bulls that roam loose and love to cr*p in everyones yard and "chase" people and pets. I have been deathly afraid of one of the females who knows how to jump the chain link fence get out and do her "deeds" and jump back in. The males also know how to jump the fence too. We have tried to tell these people what their dogs do to no avail. Last week 2 got out went to a neighbors yard attack and killed their c*cker spaniel and drug it back in front of their house. We (different neighbors) have called the sherriff's dept each time. We have been informed there is nothing they can do till they attack a human. (Texas justive does come too mind here!!) There is no ordinances concerning vicious dogs, etc.... The sherriff dept has been quite cooperative and have upped their patrol of the road, ect... We are filing reports with each incident for a paper trail if needed later on.
My question is there any state law that could help the neighborhood with vicious dogs??
Or do we have to wait for one to attack a child or adult???

We were given the advice of having an attorney send a letter along with all the sherriff's reports and putting them on notice to sue them if any of our "property" or people are injured, damaged or attacked. Also, notifying their home owners ins too. But how would one find who their ins carrier is??

any suggestions??

Thanks,
berlynWhat is the name of your state?What is the name of your state?

You are in Texas.
The next time you see any of the dogs on your property, shoot them.

 

[wdlsguy]

Last week 2 got out went to a neighbors yard attack and killed their c*cker spaniel and drug it back in front of their house.

Sounds like your neighbors have grounds for a lawsuit. What county are you in?

IANAL

 

[Happy Trails]

I agree, have the owner's of the ****er spaniel sue in small claims court. Whether the owner's of the dogs will turn it over to their insurance company though, is uncertain.

Related articles:

http://www.news8austin.com/content/headlines/?ArID=154311&SecID=2

http://www.edgarsnyder.com/accidents/dogbite/dogbite-law/texas.html

 

[wdlsguy]

The next time you see any of the dogs on your property, shoot them.

Yup. See Section 822.013 (DOGS OR COYOTES THAT ATTACK ANIMALS) of the Texas Health & Safety Code. Also see Section 822.012 (CERTAIN DOGS AND COYOTES PROHIBITED FROM RUNNING AT LARGE; CRIMINAL PENALTY).

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/HS/content/pdf/hs.010.00.000822.00.pdf

IANAL

 

[gawm]

I would strongly recommend not shooting the dogs. I agree the owners are irresponsible dog owners and should not have dogs like that but anything you do should be done more rationally.
Pit bulls by nature are animal aggressive but they are NOT people aggressive by nature. It is real easy to confused the two. I'm not saying it's impossible for them to attack a human but their breed has a higher temperament than golden retrievers so if you are waiting " for the day " they attack a human or child, that day MAY never come. You said they chased people before, what happened when they caught up with those people? Any dog will chase someone if that person runs from it. Remember, it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners.
Some other things to consider, are you that good with a gun that you are a 100% certain you can shoot at a moving dog and not miss? If you do miss keep in mind you will be held responsible for where that bullet lands and what ever damaged it does. Bullets can go a long way.
Also do you really want to start a war on that "level" with these neighbors. Some people are like , shoot my dog, you might as well have shot my child. No telling what someone would do.
My advice to you would be for you and each one of your neighbors to sue them. They will get tired of the time and the expense of going to court and might find it easier to get a more secure fencing for their yard.

 

[MoneyShot]

Time for the 3S solution - shoot, shovel, and shut-up. Alternatively is there any way to trap the dogs or even just one of them? Maybe a really, really long ride in the country would do them some good.

 

[gawm]

Time for the 3S solution - shoot, shovel, and shut-up. Alternatively is there any way to trap the dogs or even just one of them? Maybe a really, really long ride in the country would do them some good.

Wrong... It should be shovel, shoot, then shut up. You always want to have the hole already dug. Haven't you learned anything from watching "GoodFellas"?

 

[HappyHusband]

I would strongly recommend not shooting the dogs. I agree the owners are irresponsible dog owners and should not have dogs like that but anything you do should be done more rationally.
Pit bulls by nature are animal aggressive but they are NOT people aggressive by nature. It is real easy to confused the two. I'm not saying it's impossible for them to attack a human but their breed has a higher temperament than golden retrievers so if you are waiting " for the day " they attack a human or child, that day MAY never come. You said they chased people before, what happened when they caught up with those people? Any dog will chase someone it that person runs from it. Remember, it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners.
Some other things to consider, are you that good with a gun that you are a 100% certain you can shoot at a moving dog and not miss? If you do miss keep in mind you will be held responsible for where that bullet lands and what ever damaged it does. Bullets can go a long way.
Also do you really want to start a war on that "level" with these neighbors. Some people are like , shoot my dog, you might as well have shot my child. No telling what someone would do.
My advice to you would be for you and each one of your neighbors to sue them. They will get tired of the time and the expense of going to court and might find it easier to get a more secure fencing for their yard.

it's not the dogs fault, it's the owners.
I agree 100%. The owners should keep the dogs under their control at all times. When they are running free, they are out of control.

are you that good with a gun that you are a 100% certain you can shoot at a moving dog and not miss?
I am, but this situation calls for a 12gauge shotgun.

Also do you really want to start a war on that "level" with these neighbors. Some people are like , shoot my dog, you might as well have shot my child. No telling what someone would do.
If these neighbors cared so much about their dogs, they would keep them in their yard.

 

[mims1979]

I see it as a self defense issue. I say next time that dog is in your yard, you are scared to death because he attacked so you picked up your gun and shot it. It was either it or you. It would be the same if it was a human. If a man was on your property threatening your life you'd have every right to shoot him.

 

[gawm]

I see it as a self defense issue. I say next time that dog is in your yard, you are scared to death because he attacked so you picked up your gun and shot it. It was either it or you. It would be the same if it was a human. If a man was on your property threatening your life you'd have every right to shoot him.

IF the dog WERE attacking the OP then fine, but he OP stated the dogs never attacked a human. You can't shoot a dog just because it is on your property. If the OP did shoot it and lied and said the dog was attacking them and someone else saw it and reported it, the OP could expect to be brought up on some kind of cruelty to animals charge.

 

[Shel77]

I agree that if the dog is on YOUR property again an is acting agressive in anyway I would shoot it. I also do not agree that a dog that would kill another dog would not just as easily go after a small child. My #1 suggestion would be to find a new place to spend your weekends!

 

[LindaP777]

The next time you see any of the dogs on your property, shoot them.

That's what I would do. Put them on notice, then carry a gun - the 12 gauge is good advice. Don't wait for the dogs to hurt you, or your pets - they are vicious and have been witnessed in their acts. Aim to kill. Good luck and post back.

 

[berlyn]

It's so interesting to see so many replies. My hubby will shoot, no doubt if they come on our property in a threating way. He's done it once before when those dogs came over and jumped in the back of his truck with the tail gate up & attacked a neighbors dog. The dog's little master had spent the night with us & that's where he likes to sleep and we thought he'd be safe. Hubby learned he can not load a gun @ 2:20AM when you're awoken from a dead sleep to the growls & snares of a dog attack & the little master crying when he figures out what's going on outside!! It now stays loaded and on safety. I did leave out that I do have a german shepherd, Sarge & he is my baby boy!! He is deathly afraid of the pit bulls and won't leave my side or goes in his crate. But then again I have choosen to be a responsible owner with a large breed dog. I even pick up his crap. The neighbors dogs crap is tossed back into theirs. It just tears me up to be placed in this situation by the owners and not the dogs fault.
Unfortunately I go out 2 weekends of the month alone when hubby is offshore. So I'm going with what the sheriff's deputy & most of you guys said. Shoot them!!
If they come at me or Sarge while on my property in an agressive or threating way I will shoot, call the Sheriff's Dept., they will send a deputy out to notify the dog owners and tell them they have been formally complained on in the past and I was in my legal right. The End!!

The owners of the c*cker spaniel are Rita evacuee's from Louisiana staying temp. & young. They said they have their own way of justice. We're all hoping they don't get drunk and do something crazy or extreme!!
gawm,
Yes, I do know how to handle my 22. I come from a line of expert marksmen & sharp shooters. It just kills me to no end to be put in this situation by these lazy white trailer trash, junk collecting, beer drinking alcoholic owners!! I do not want to kill any dogs and not make the owners aware and be back in the same situation with same owner and different dogs.

Thanks everyone,
berlyn